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Counselling & Psychology

Independence Australia recognises that people living with a physical disability may experience a range of emotions, thoughts and feelings that may cause them concern. The lives of family members may also be affected in different ways.

Accordingly, Independence Australia’s Psychology Service offers individual, couples and family therapy / counselling, and also facilitates various peer support groups. These services are offered to assist people to improve their quality of life.

 

Independence Australia’s Psychologists are registered with The Psychologists Registration Board of Victoria and practice according to its Code of Behaviour for Psychologists and the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics and Ethicical Guidelines.

Who is Eligible for the Psychology Service?

  • The Psychology Service is available for anyone who has a physical disability and/or their family members. Children and teenagers may be referred on to more specialised child and adolescent services.
  • Independence Australia's specialty is working with people with a spinal cord injury and people who have had polio, although any person with a physical disability is eligible to attend.
  • People who attend our service may have only recently acquired their disability, or have lived with their disability for many years (or their lifetime).

Why do People Attend the Psychology Service?

People attend the Psychology Service for a wide range of concerns, such as (but not limited to):

  • Depression
  • Grief and loss
  • Adjustment to living with a disability
  • Anger
  • Intimacy and sexuality concerns
  • Self-esteem
  • Family and relationship conflict
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Identity issues
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Social isolation
  • Disability and aging
  • Pain and fatigue

How does Therapy / Counselling Work?

The Psychology Service offers a confidential, supportive and non-judgemental therapy / counselling service in which clients can:

  • Seek support, information or feedback
  • Gain a better understanding of what they are experiencing
  • Discover different perspectives to their situation
  • Discuss choices or opportunities
  • Gain insight into personal strengths and challenges
  • Explore ways of coping with troubling thoughts, emotions or situations

The specific purpose or aim of therapy varies from person to person, and depends upon each individual's situation and needs. Goals of therapy are discussed in initial sessions and are client-driven.

What can be Expected from Individual, Couples or Family Therapy / Counselling?

Initial sessions are geared towards obtaining background information and clarifying the range of problems or concerns that a person might like to address in therapy / counselling. Clients are sometimes not sure what to expect, and any queries can be discussed in initial appointments.

Clients are required to attend sessions at Independence Australia’s premises in Collingwood, although some telephone support can be provided if a person is unable to attend due to health or mobility reasons (this is a limited service negotiated on a case by case basis).

Sessions are usually 1 hour long and may occur weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on the client’s needs. At times, clients may be given reading material or other between-session activities to complete.

On average, clients can expect to receive services for 6 months. However, there may be some flexibility depending on each person's needs and the availability of the Psychologist.

What Type of Peer Support Groups are on Offer?

Different support groups or workshops are offered at Independence Australia through the Psychology Service. Groups vary in their focus and may be specific to people with a physical disability or their family members.

Currently we are running two ongoing support groups.

Please click the links above, or call 1300 704 456 or email psychology@independenceaustralia.com for more information.

How to Make an Appointment

If eligible to receive services, a GP referral (Mental Health Care Plan) may be required. To determine eligibility, service providers or prospective clients are welcome to:

  • call us directly on Independence Australia’s main line, 1300 704 456, and ask to speak to one of the psychologists or
  • email us on psychology@independenceaustralia.com or
  • complete a Referral Form and return it to us (by email, post or fax – 1300 704 451).

At times, clients may be placed on a waitlist. If the Psychology Service is unable to cater for the needs of a client, a referral will be made to an appropriate service.

Cost

The service is free to eligible clients.

A limited number of sessions (between 6 and 12) are now bulk billable through Medicare.

A fee-for-service is charged to compensation agencies where applicable, eg, TAC, WorkCover.

There are no out of pocket expenses to eligible clients of the service.

Hours of Operation

Sessions are available from Monday to Friday during normal daytime work hours. After-hours or crisis services are not available.

Peer support groups may be held in the evenings.

Alternative Support Services and Resources

Below is a list of Crisis and After Hours Support Services that may be of use. You may also download this page as a PDF (71KB).

General & Suicide Telephone Support:

Lifeline - 13 11 14. 24-hour generalist and crisis telephone counselling, information and referral service. http://www.lifeline.org.au/

Suicide Help Line Victoria – 1300 651 251. 24-hour counselling line for people struggling with thoughts of suicide, or people bereaved by suicide. http://www.suicidehelpline.org.au/

Support for Women

Maternal and Child Health Line – 13 22 29. 24-hour telephone information and advice line for families with children from birth to school entry. www.vic.bubhub.com.au

WIRE (Women's information Referral Exchange) – 1300 134 130 or TTY 13 3677. Interpreter services also available. Telephone support (options, information and referrals) for a range of issues including family life, relationships, domestic violence, sexual assault, health and well-being, women as professionals, education and training, legal issues. Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm. email inforequests@wire.org.au. http://www.wire.org.au

Women's Domestic Violence Crisis Service of Victoria (WDVCSV) - 9373 0123 or freecall 1800 015 188. 24-hour telephone information, support and referral to safe accommodation for women and their children

Support for Men

Mensline Australia - 1300 78 99 78. 24-hour counselling, referral and advice for men on a range of issues such as relationships, parenting skills, suicide, child abuse etc http://www.menslineaus.org.au

Support for Children

Child Protection Crisis Line – 13 12 78. 24-hour crisis telephone service for assistance and support in the area of child abuse prevention.

Kids Help Line - 1800 551 800. 24-hour telephone counselling for children 5 - 18 years, email counsellor@kidshelp.com.au (for email counselling) or internet www.kidshelp.com.au (web counselling: Mon - Fri, 3 pm - 9 pm)

Support for Parents

Parentline – 13 22 89. Telephone counselling, information and referrals for families with children up to eighteen years old. Mon-Fri 8am-12am, Sat/Sun 10am-10pm. http://www.parentline.vic.gov.au

Support for Alcohol Addictions

Bouyancy Foundation - 03 9429 3322, TTY 9421 8986. Internet, telephone and face to face counselling (individual, group) and information for drug and alcohol issues. www.buoyancy.org.au

Direct Line - 1800 888 236. 24-hour drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral service. http://www.health.vic.gov.au/drugs/directline.htm

Gambler's Help –1800 156 789, TTY 1800 77 77 06. 24-hour telephone advice, support and information line. http://www.problemgambling.vic.gov.au

Quitline – 137 848. Confidential telephone service providing information, support and advice for quitting.smoking 8am to 8pm Mon-Fri. www.quit.org.au

TRANX (Tranquilliser Recovery and New Existence Inc) – 9886 0955 Support, referral and counselling service for people withdrawing from benzodiazepine tranquillisers. www.tranx.org.au

Support for Sexual Abuse

CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault) – 1800 806 292. A free confidential 24 hour emergency or crisis care service is available for victim /survivors who have recently been sexually assaulted. This includes crisis counselling support and may include access to medical care and legal processes. http://www.casa.org.au

Support for other Health or Legal Concerns

Aidsline - 1800 133 392. Telephone counselling, information and referrals on HIV, STDs and sexual health. Mon-Fri 9am-10pm, Sat & Sun 9-11am & 6-8pm. http://www.aidshep.org.au

 

ARAFEMI (Association of Relatives and Friend of the Emotionally and Mentally Ill) – 9810 9399. The telephone support service provides support, information, and referral for family and friends of people who have a mental illness. The service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. http://www.arafemi.org.au

Eating Disorders Association - 9885 0318. Information and referral service. www.eatingdisorders.org.au

Griefline – 9596 7799. Telephone counselling service for people who are grieving from bereavement or other loss. 7 days, from noon to 3am.

Legal Aid - 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers). The service offers free legal information in English and 14 other languages, from Monday to Friday. www.legalaid.vic.gov.au

Nurse-on-call – 1300 606 024. Victorian telephone health line, providing immediate, expert health information and advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. http://www.health.vic.gov.au/nurseoncall

SANE Australia - 1800 18 SANE (7263). Information, advice and referrals for support with mental illness available 9-5 weekdays EST. Request free Infopack 24 hours. http://www.sane.org